Peebles and District Community Council (PCC) held its Annual General Meeting on 14 May, marking the end of yet another busy year and arguably, its busiest yet. Over the period, PCC has managed an unusually broad and demanding workload, addressing both major strategic issues and a wide range of routine local matters.

Key priorities included

• Combatting the threat posed to some of our much-loved facilities including the Gytes and the Drill Hall, this resulting from the problems being experienced by Scottish Borders Council and Live Borders.
• Similarly, a great deal of effort was directed at defending the threat posed to the Kingsmeadows woodland by ongoing development proposals. A threat that has still not been entirely eradicated.
• Windfarm developments and specifically the potential for windfarm funding required considerable resource directed at negotiating with the developers and adjacent community councils, and also in vetting legal documents of various sorts.
• The Chambers Institution, the old schoolhouse and the Town Team, also all required sustained leadership, advocacy, and collaboration.

Peebles in Bloom once again proved to be a resounding success in 2025 and our volunteers are busy once again working to organise this year’s event. It is easy to underestimate the amount of work that the team needs to contribute to make it succeed. The team vets every front garden, arranges independent judging, teas and cakes, a raffle, cleaning and engraving trophies and much more. Why not join our community council and help us to make Peebles a town to be proud of.

Additionally, 2026 included the recent Scottish parliamentary elections and your community council organised and hosted a hustings in the Burgh Hall. All major political parties were represented and responded to questions both tabled in advance and additionally those raised directly from the floor.

We were fortunate again to have the help of Father Tony Lappin who chaired the meeting and his professionalism certainly helped make the event a success. An audience of around 170 people were present and much to my relief, both politicians and the attending public were all very much on their best behaviour!

Throughout this last year, PCC continued to strengthen its role as a representative voice for the community, challenging public bodies where necessary and building closer links with local organisations and partners.

Alongside the headline issues, members also continued to make meaningful progress on those day-to-day concerns affecting the town. For example: PCC took a strong part in discussions over the new bus service and its implementation which appears to be a significant success. The Chair’s report to the AGM lists another 50+ issues that have been raised, addressed, chased and discussed. This reflects both the breadth of the PCCs civic role and the commitment of its volunteers.

Join Peebles Community Council

Your community council needs your support. If you are interested in being a part of this vital resource please contact our secretary Anne Snoddy

For further information please take a look at our website

Peter Maudsley
Chair, Peebles and District Community Council